By KATIE KELLY BELL
For The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
Sunday, February 15, 2009
Now in its seventh year, the Savannah Music Festival is becoming as much a part of spring in this coastal town as the legendary swaths of azaleas bursting in bloom underneath lacy tendrils of Spanish moss.

Showcasing a musical experience of impressive breadth and scope, the event is Georgia’s largest musical arts festival and has rightfully earned a reputation as a unique cross-genre offering.
From March 18 to April 5, the city’s historic district plays host to 100 musical performances tucked into intimate settings at local theaters and churches. Because of the overwhelming variety, we’ve whittled the Savannah Music Festival experience down to three long weekends. Pick one or all three (it’s an easy four-hour drive). Whatever you do, don’t miss it.
IF YOU GO
Savannah Music Festival. March 18–April 5. Admission $5-$75 per event. For schedules, venues and ticket prices, visit
http://www.savannahmusicfestival.com/ or call 912-525-5050.
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LOUIE FAVORITE / lfavorite@ajc.com
The festival’s opening weekend features female headliners, with Bonnie Raitt kicking it off March 18.

March 18-22
• Highlights: Bonnie Raitt opens the festival March 18, setting the tone for a weekend of female headliners. Blues artist Beverly "Guitar" Watkins performs March 19, and jazz vocalist Dianne Reeves sings March 20.
• Don’t miss: Grammy Award-winning singer/songwriter Jim Lauderdale and friends — including the Tattnall River Shapenote Singers — serve up a bewitching blend of old-style gospel, bluegrass and string band music March 20.
• Surprise me: Portuguese Fado singer Mariza performs both traditional and modern interpretations of this 200-year-old nightclub style of impassioned vocalizing March 21.
• Bring the kids: The Zydeco Dance Party, featuring Cedric Watson — a 20-something Creole fiddler, vocalist and accordionist — who will keep the house rockin’ March 21.

Victoria Renard / AJC Special
Neko Case of the New Pornographers lets loose with her alt-country, genre-bending music April 3.

March 26-29
• Highlights: The High School Jazz Band Competition features performances by 12 bands from across the United States. Bands perform for free March 26 and 27 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on River Street. Classical guitarist Manuel Barrueco performs Bach and Mendelssohn on March 26.
• Don’t miss: Chick Corea, John McLaughlin and the Five Peace Band perform a distinctive blend of rock and jazz in the intimate Trustees Theatre venue March 28.
• Surprise me: The Academy of Ancient Music performs Bach’s complete Brandenberg Concertos at the Wesley Monumental Church on March 27.
April 2-5
• Highlights: Alt-country artist Neko Case of the New Pornographers performs her genre-bending style of music April 3.
• Surprise me: Feufollet plays the Cajun Dance Party on April 3. Expect energetic young Cajun sounds from this Bayou surprise.
• Don’t miss: On April 4, jazz artist and banjo player extraordinaire Bela Fleck stages an all-star collaboration with African artists for a special performance playing only in select cities.

Ferst Center for the Arts
The kids will enjoy Savion Glover, a Tony Award-winning tap dancer who performs April 3.